About the server/restart part, maybe the server was holding your .ini locked down so when you try to make changes awhile it's running, it won't keep the change. That's why a lot of instructions for servers say if you are going to make any changes, you have to shut it down to apply the changes.

What I was thinking is probably the .ini didn't have ALL of the settings and perhap the default was still sticking around until the added info for the changes came in to take effect.

Until you use the render settings via the advanced options window (type "preferences" in the console), or open it via the menu option in UEd, you will still have any old entries or invalid new ones.Changing any of the settings this way will update your ini with any missing switches.Changes made this way are also "live" so if you have the game on pause, and can see the map rather than the UT desktop, you will see brightness levels and texture qualities etc. change as you watch.A few settings will require you to swap between fullscreen an windowed mode to see a difference.(No more guesswork).

My tip for upgrading to a new video or audio renderer.Delete the original entry in the ini, then access the advanced options renderer settings.You will now have a brand new set of renderer settings at the end of the UT ini.Copy this info to your "Default.ini"OpenGL settings may also be worth copying to "OpenGlDrv.ini" but I believe the new renderers may not use that file any more.

Once you have done this, you can use the built-in "defaults" buttons in the advanced options window any time you mess things up.

Tip No 2:Once you are happy with the most reliable settings, it is worth overwriting the entry in the defaults file, so you can continue experimenting, but reset to something sensible for your PC.

Finally, if you have any problem with those renderers or find a bug, forget it.Those renderers are several years old and development was officially handed to OldUnreal, where newer bug-fixes and updates have been done.See this thread for info viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4569&start=0